A Redemption Story
The other day, I was reading through a list of the top 50 Christmas Movies/Shows of all time and noticed something about the top 5 on the list – they were all redemption stories.
Redemption simply put is “when something bad becomes something good.” Something broken becomes whole. Something wrong is made right. Something missing is found.
Here’s the top 5… (Do these 5 make your top 5 list?)
#5 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 Animated Version): In the end, after the Grinch tries to ruin everything Christmas, the town of Whoville has Christmas anyway in joy and harmony, the Grinch’s heart grows 3 sizes, and then joins in the celebration, welcomed and loved by all, especially little Cindy Lou Who.
#4 – Elf: All Buddy the Elf wants is to find his father and have a family. In the end, he finds all that, falls in love, and saves Christmas too!
#3 – A Charlie Brown Christmas: Charlie Brown finds the most pitiful Christmas tree of all time while everyone else seems to be missing the idea of Christmas and the school play is a mess. In the end, Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas, the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree becomes beautiful, and everyone joins in singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
#2 – A Christmas Story: The family has an unforgettable Christmas dinner at the Chinese restaurant, Ralphie gets his BB gun and does not shoot his eye out, though he comes mighty close.
#1 – It’s a Wonderful Life: In the end, George Bailey’s attempt at ending his life is interrupted by Clarence the Angel, George gets a whole new perspective on life, and finds that he already has everything he needs as all his friends and family pitch in to save the day.
Everyone loves a redemption story. We love to hear them and love to tell them. They touch our hearts.
Christmas is the greatest redemption story ever told.
With Christmas, the idea of redemption takes a deeper meaning…
Redemption: When God takes something bad and makes it good.
The Christmas story is a story of God’s plan to bring light to a dark world, to repair the broken relationship with mankind, and to restore His fractured family. God took the initiative to send His Son to make things right and bring salvation to the world. That is what Christmas is all about.
On the night Jesus was born, the angel told the shepherds…
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-24
The Messiah has come. He has been born to us. He is one of us. He is the answer to ancient prophecies. He brings peace with Him and is the answer everyone needs.
Our story can be a redemption story too with Jesus in our lives. He can make what is broken whole again. He can repair and restore relationships. He can bring hope to any hopeless situation. He offers salvation to all who believe.
This is what we celebrate at Christmas.
This Christmas, we invite you to celebrate with us at our Christmas Services….
Sundays, December 15 & 22, 9 & 11am
Special Christmas Night Service – December 22: Soup Dinner from 5:30-6:30pm in the Ministry Center and Worship Service 7:00- 8:00pm in the Worship Auditorium.
This is a great opportunity to invite family and friends and share the Christmas redemption story with them. Jesus Christ is born!